Food Grade 5 Gallon Pails: FDA & UN Certified Options [2026]

Food Grade 5 Gallon Pails: FDA & UN Certified Options [2026]

According to FDA 21 CFR 177.1520, not all plastic containers are safe for food contact — yet thousands of businesses unknowingly store or transport food products in non-compliant containers every year. The consequences range from costly product recalls to facility shutdowns. Knowing exactly what qualifies as a food grade pail, and where to buy certified ones, is the difference between compliance and liability.

PailHQ manufactures and sells FDA food-grade, UN-certified 5 gallon HDPE pails direct to food processors, restaurants, institutional kitchens, and agricultural operations across the US. This guide explains what "food grade" actually means, how to verify certification, and how to get the right pail for your operation.

What you'll learn:

  • What the FDA requires for food-grade pail certification
  • How to identify a food grade pail by markings and resin code
  • Pricing comparison for food grade 5 gallon pails in 2026
  • Where to buy food grade pails in bulk with proper certification
  • Which certifications matter most for your industry

For bulk pricing on certified food grade pails, get a quote at pailhq.com/quote.

Table of Contents

  1. What Makes a Pail Food Grade?
  2. FDA Compliance: What the Regulation Says
  3. How to Read Food Grade Pail Markings
  4. Food Grade vs. Standard: Real Differences
  5. Food Grade 5 Gallon Pails Pricing in 2026
  6. Where to Buy Food Grade 5 Gallon Pails
  7. Industry Applications
  8. Key Takeaways
  9. FAQ

What Makes a Pail Food Grade? {#what-makes-food-grade}

A food grade pail must be manufactured from resins approved for food contact under FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 (olefin polymers). For 5 gallon pails, this means HDPE resin with a #2 recycling code.

Three requirements distinguish food grade from standard:

1. Resin specification — HDPE #2 manufactured without slip agents, colorants, or recycled content not approved for food contact. Virgin resin is typically required.

2. Manufacturing controls — The container must be produced in a facility that prevents cross-contamination with non-food-safe materials. Many general industrial pails are made on the same lines as chemical containers using recycled HDPE — which disqualifies them from food use.

3. No harmful additives — Standard industrial pails often contain UV stabilizers, colorants, or processing aids that are not food-safe. True food grade pails use only FDA-approved formulations.

The test is simple: look for the FDA food-safe marking and HDPE #2 resin code stamped on the bottom of the pail. If it isn't there, don't use it for food.

FDA Compliance: What the Regulation Says {#fda-compliance}

FDA 21 CFR Part 177, Subpart B covers plastics intended for food contact. For HDPE specifically, 21 CFR 177.1520 (Olefin polymers) specifies the permitted resins, additives, and manufacturing conditions.

Key compliance points for food processors:

  • Container material must comply with 21 CFR 177.1520
  • Colorants in food-contact surfaces are governed separately under 21 CFR 178.3297
  • Recycled content must meet FDA recycling guidance (Draft Guidance 2006, updated 2023)

USDA and state-level rules — Food processors in USDA-inspected facilities face additional scrutiny. USDA FSIS inspectors may require documentation showing container compliance. Many state departments of agriculture have parallel requirements.

Documenting compliance — Maintain a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) from your pail supplier. At PailHQ, every order ships with full FDA compliance documentation. If your current supplier cannot provide this, that is a red flag.

How to Read Food Grade Pail Markings {#read-markings}

Every legitimate food grade 5 gallon pail carries specific markings on its base. Here is how to interpret them:

| Marking | Meaning |

|---------|---------|

| HDPE or #2 inside recycling triangle | Base resin is high-density polyethylene |

| "Food Grade" or "FDA" printed on base | Manufacturer certifies food-safe resin and process |

| UN 1H2/Y27/S | UN certification for solid hazardous material (also indicates quality HDPE construction) |

| Gallon capacity marking | Volume certification |

What to watch for: Generic white buckets at hardware stores rarely carry the "Food Grade" base stamp. White color alone does not mean food grade. Always check the bottom of the pail before use in a food application.

PailHQ pails carry all of the above markings on every unit.

Food Grade vs. Standard: Real Differences {#food-grade-vs-standard}

Many buyers assume any clean-looking bucket is safe for food. The differences are material:

Resin purity — Food grade HDPE uses virgin resin with no recycled content. Standard industrial pails may contain post-consumer recycled HDPE, which can harbor residue from previous uses.

Colorants and additives — The orange color in Home Depot Homer Buckets comes from carbon black pigment — not FDA-approved for food contact. White food grade pails use titanium dioxide pigment, which is FDA-approved.

Manufacturing environment — Food grade manufacturing requires sanitary controls comparable to food production. Cross-contamination from non-food applications is a disqualifying factor.

Documentation — Food grade suppliers provide Certificate of Compliance, full material data sheets, and traceability documentation. Standard industrial suppliers typically cannot.

Price difference — Expect to pay $1.50–$3.00 more per unit for properly certified food grade pails vs. generic industrial HDPE. This is a small cost relative to the liability of a food safety violation.

Food Grade 5 Gallon Pails Pricing in 2026 {#pricing}

Current market pricing for certified food grade 5 gallon pails (HDPE, with lid):

| Source | Price/Unit | Food Grade Cert | Bulk Discount |

|--------|-----------|-----------------|---------------|

| Home Depot | $4.98 | No | None |

| Amazon (generic) | $6–$12 | Varies — verify carefully | None |

| Uline | $11–$15 | Yes (selected SKUs) | 10% at case quantity |

| Restaurant supply | $8–$14 | Usually yes | Limited |

| PailHQ (25+ units) | $9.99 | Yes — FDA + UN certified | Tiered pricing |

PailHQ pricing tiers for food grade 5 gallon pails:

  • 1–5 units: $12.49/unit
  • 6–24 units: $11.49/unit
  • 25+ units: $9.99/unit
  • Free shipping on orders of 36+ units

At 120 units (one full pallet), total delivered cost is $1,199 — fully certified, with documentation.

Where to Buy Food Grade 5 Gallon Pails {#where-to-buy}

Best for small quantities (1–12 units): Restaurant supply stores or Uline. Verify the "food grade" marking is on the pail itself, not just the listing description.

Best for bulk orders (25+ units): Direct from an industrial manufacturer. PailHQ ships direct to your facility with volume pricing, COC documentation, and a 2–4 hour quote turnaround.

Avoid: Generic Amazon listings without verified certifications, and hardware store buckets (orange Homer Buckets are not food grade).

For food processing operations: Request a Certificate of Compliance from your supplier before each order. FDA auditors will ask for this documentation.

Request bulk pricing for your food processing operation →

Industry Applications {#applications}

Food grade 5 gallon HDPE pails are used across a wide range of food industry segments:

Food manufacturers and co-packers — Bulk ingredient storage (honey, syrups, oils, spices), intermediate product storage between processing steps, finished product packaging for institutional buyers.

Restaurants and food service — Bulk prep storage, marinating containers, portioned sauces and condiments, waste oil collection.

Agriculture and farm operations — Harvested produce storage, seed transport, pesticide mixing (requires separate UN-certified container for hazardous pesticides).

Institutional kitchens — Schools, hospitals, prisons — bulk ingredient receiving and storage.

Craft food producers — Breweries, distilleries, jam and condiment makers who need sanitary bulk containers.

For all of these applications, the same rule applies: confirm food grade certification before use, and keep CoC documentation on file.

Key Takeaways {#takeaways}

  • ✓ True food grade requires HDPE #2 resin made to FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 — not just any white plastic bucket
  • ✓ Look for the stamp — "Food Grade" and "#2 HDPE" on the base are required markers; orange buckets from hardware stores are not food grade
  • ✓ Documentation matters — FDA and USDA auditors require Certificate of Compliance; your supplier must be able to provide it
  • ✓ Pricing gap is small — Certified food grade pails run $1.50–$3.00 more per unit than uncertified; this is negligible vs. recall or violation costs
  • ✓ Bulk is where savings concentrate — At 25+ units, certified food grade pails drop to $9.99/unit at PailHQ with free shipping at 36+
  • ✓ UN + FDA dual certification is available on the same pail — important for operations handling both food ingredients and DOT-regulated substances
  • ✓ Response time — PailHQ quotes within 2–4 hours on business days: 954-594-2108

Get a Bulk Quote on Food Grade Pails

Ready to order? Call 954-594-2108 or submit your quantity at pailhq.com/quote. We respond within 2–4 hours on business days with pricing, availability, and compliance documentation.

Related Resources

FAQ {#faq}

Are all white 5 gallon buckets food grade?

No. White color alone does not indicate food grade status. Food grade pails must be manufactured from FDA-compliant HDPE resin (21 CFR 177.1520), with no non-food-safe colorants or additives. Always verify the "Food Grade" stamp on the base of the pail. Many white industrial buckets are not food grade.

Can I use a Home Depot Homer Bucket for food storage?

No. The standard orange Homer Bucket uses pigments and additives that are not FDA-compliant for food contact. Even the white versions sold at Home Depot are not consistently food grade. For any FDA-regulated food application, purchase from a supplier that provides food grade certification documentation.

What is the HDPE recycling code for food grade pails?

HDPE #2. The recycling symbol on the base of the pail should show the number 2 inside the triangle. This indicates high-density polyethylene resin, the base material for food grade pails. However, the #2 code alone is not sufficient — you also need the "Food Grade" stamp confirming the resin meets FDA food contact specifications.

How do I verify a supplier's food grade claim?

Request a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for the specific product. A legitimate food grade supplier will provide documentation citing the relevant FDA regulation (21 CFR 177.1520). If a supplier cannot provide a CoC, do not use their pails for food applications.

Do food grade pails cost more than standard buckets?

Yes, typically $1.50–$3.00 more per unit. At bulk quantities (25+), food grade certified pails from PailHQ are $9.99/unit — comparable to uncertified industrial pails from other suppliers, but with full FDA and UN certification included.

What is the minimum order for food grade pails?

PailHQ has no minimum order — you can order as few as 1 unit at $12.49. Volume pricing kicks in at 6 units ($11.49) and 25 units ($9.99). Free shipping is included on all orders of 36+ units.

Can food grade pails also be used for chemicals?

Yes, if the pail also carries UN 1H2/Y27/S certification. PailHQ pails carry both FDA food grade and UN hazmat certifications on the same SKU, making them compliant for food storage, chemical transport, and DOT-regulated materials. Do not use the same pail for both food and chemical applications — maintain separate inventories.

About the Author

PailHQ Editorial Team — PailHQ is a direct manufacturer of UN 1H2/Y27/S certified, FDA food-grade 5-gallon HDPE pails supplying food processors, chemical manufacturers, and agricultural operations across the continental US. Our compliance team includes regulatory specialists with expertise in FDA 21 CFR, DOT 49 CFR, and USDA FSIS container requirements.

Questions about food grade certification or bulk pricing? Call 954-594-2108 or email sales@pailhq.com. We reply within 2–4 hours on business days.

Sources: FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 (Olefin Polymers), FDA 21 CFR 178.3297 (Colorants), USDA FSIS container guidance, DOT 49 CFR 178.504 (UN 1H2 specification). Pricing data collected February 2026.